1.2 - Engineering Goals and Brainstorming

To design a mousetrap car which is light but at the some time can travel a distance being powered by tension and elastic potential energy being converted into kinetic energy.

Rules and Regulations

The standard issue mousetrap must be mounted onto the vehicle chassis.

The spring on the mousetrap may not be cut, bent, over-wound, heat-treated or altered in any manner.

No additional source of elastic potential energy should be incorporated into the engine/drivetrain mechanism.

Additional input of energy of any form to the vehicle in forbidden.

We may supply their own materials and are encouraged to use recycled, re-purposed materials; kits are prohibited.

Distance travelled will be measured in a straight line, with reference to the front axle of vehicle from the start point to the point where the front axle stops or leaves the designated testing area.

Vehicles must have either 3/4 wheels.

Gearing/Use of lubricants.bushings and bearings are permitted.

The final assessment will consist of a maximum of 3 trials run out of which the run with the best score will be recorded; the vehicle cannot be modified further once it has started on the first trial run and all 3 runs must be conducted within the same day. Exception: Minor adjustments that are approved by the teacher may be allowed on a case-by-case basis; all adjustments approved and carried out must be documented by the respective teams.

All physicals dimensions should adhere to the following limitations:

Length: 30 cm

Width: 15cm

Height: 15cm

Mousetrap car should not be pushed/pulled by the student when being tested.

Design Criterions:

Keeping Newton's Second Law in mind, we need to keep our mousetrap light so that the acceleration is greater. When the acceleration is greater, the car will travel a further distance.

The relationship between an object's mass m, its acceleration a, and the applied force F is F = ma.

The shape of the car should also be aerodynamic as it reduces air resistance and prevents undesired lift forces.

The chassis should be sturdy and strong, not flimsy, as it has to take the force of the mousetrap's spring and the tension released by the string.

The lever arm and spring should be long, but not too long, so as to maximise the distance it can go till.

The axels should also be sturdy and well placed, so that firstly, the wheels can work and secondly, the force should be taken by the wheels.

The axel should also be perpendicular to the wheels, so that the wheels are not slanted, which will provide the structure to be more stable.